Remember.

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The Youth in Mission Congress has finished and now all we can literally do is remember. As I look back upon the congress there are many things that I would like to write about and maybe in the future I will.

The Youth in Mission Congress has finished and now all we can literally do is remember. As I look back upon the congress there are many things that I would like to write about and maybe in the future I will. For now, there is one strong pulse inside of me that wishes I had permission to share the names and stories of those youth who really helped me see Jesus in a new way e.g. a young girl standing up for her beliefs in a home where she is the only Christian; to a small group that has been praying together for years for GOD to use them and bring more youth to their church. It is easy to stand up for GOD when everyone else around you is doing the same thing. It is easy to sing at YIM with hundreds of other young Christians. It is not so easy to sing when the daily routine of life sets in and there are no more people around you who pray for you, and encourage you to Remember. It is not so easy when your church seems dead and you are the only person in your youth group. It seems an almost insurmountable challenge at times to live for Jesus in our particular situation. We think other churches, other friends; other people have it so much easier. And we wish they only knew how much we fight just to stay in church...

Just to believe.

It is in these moments that I think the theme of Youth in Mission was so important this year. It is not enough just to attend the congress, meet new people, and have a nice weekend.

It is a challenge.

The real challenge of actually living out the things that we have learned as we go back home. The challenge of not forgetting.

The challenge to Remember.

I know there are things that I struggled with over the weekend. If I am brave enough I’ll write about that one day. But now only a few days back home, cleaning the house, having to think about school, learning new vocab words and doing homework; I am reminded that ‘real life’ is setting back in and I don’t want to forget.

I want to remember.

To remember what GOD did thru and for me, what He taught me, and the challenges He helped me face.

And so for those who are dying on the inside and dreading to go back home. For those whose hearts were lonely during the congress and now are facing the normal routine of life. For those whose lives are so busy they don’t have time to for anything else...For those youth groups who have prayed for so long with no answerFor those individuals who are still seeking after God even when no one around them is...For myself...I leave us this promise found in Joshua 1:9.Have I not commanded you? Be strong and courageous! Do not tremble or be dismayed, for the Lord your God is with you wherever you go.”